Evie Cutter is swimming the equivalent of the English Channel and back to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.

Evie is taking on the swimming challenge of the year, to raise awareness of diabetes, because her granddad has lived with the condition for over 60 years.

Evie, a pupil at St Benedict’s Primary School, will be completing 44 miles ? double the usual distance of Diabetes UK’s Swim22 challenge. Her younger sister Alivia, 5, mum Leigh, 34 and dad Lee, 33 will be completing a further 22 miles, which will take their combined distance to 66 miles.

Evie says her inspiration for taking part in the challenge is her grandad, Andy, 64, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 60 years. She said: “I would swim all around the world for my Grandad if it would help people learn more about diabetes.”

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. There are an estimated 4.5 million people living with diabetes in the UK. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke. There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes.

This is the second big swim that sisters Evie and Alivia have taken part in for Diabetes UK, having organized their own challenge two years ago.

Mum Leigh, says that her daughters have inspired her to take on the challenge. She added: “I’m so proud of their efforts and am looking forward to getting involved too. I’ve wanted to get more exercise and Swim22 seemed like the perfect motivation.”

Vickie Butcher, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser said: “We are delighted that the Cutter family are making a splash for Diabetes UK. The lengths that they are going to will bring us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

To sponsor Evie, Alivia, Lee and Leigh please visit there just giving page here.

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